National finalists for the Scholastic Arts and Writing Award will be announced tomorrow, March 17.

Multiple Palo Alto High School students have won the statewide first place award this year, and will be informed tomorrow as to whether or not they are national medalists as well.

Paly Advanced Placement Photo teacher Margo Wixsom requires her students to submit to Scholastic Arts and Writing as part of their first semester final project. Wixsom believes that the competition is a great way for students to show off their artistic prowess, and is trying to spread the word about all that Scholastic Arts and Writing has to offer students.

“I want them [my students] to understand how prestigious scholastic arts is,” Wixsom said. “It isn’t well known in California, and I’m very discouraged that California is very underrepresented.”

According to Wixsom, past winners include Robert Redford, Sylvia Plath, Andy Warhol and Wixom herself.

“It’s so professional and so prestigious and you, you know, get to be counted in the ranks of some of the finest artists in American history,” Wixsom said.

National Arts winners are invited to attend a reception at Carnegie Hall in June where their work  will be displayed. According to Wixsom, last year’s reception was hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Zac Efron.

“It’s like a mini-Oscars,” Wixsom said.

National medalists in the writing category are invited to a formal dinner at the White House. Winners from all catagories qualify for Scholastic Arts and Writing scholarships in college.

But even those participants who don’t earn a national medal should feel proud.

“Scholastic Arts is the most prestigious high school arts competition in America,” Wixsom said. “These Paly students are all incredibly talented.”